Ministers must be accountable for climate change targets - McInnes

12.00.00am GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP has challenged Scottish Ministers to take responsibility for emissions in their areas and for the first review of annual climate change targets to be brought forward.

Mrs McInnes' call comes ahead of the Climate Change Committee taking evidence from environmental groups on the Climate Change Bill in Parliament today.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"Liberal Democrats want to make sure that the Climate Change Bill is done properly right from the start.

"We think that Ministers in charge of key departments like Transport and Energy should be held directly accountable for emissions within their remit. This means that in addition to overall emission reduction targets, individual Ministers would be responsible for emissions from their portfolio.

"We also want to see Ministers look again at when these annual targets will be reviewed. It is unacceptable that the first review isn't due until 2012. "

Ends.